American Airlines Sucks

On January 7, Tammy and I planned our annual trip to visit Jaclyn and her family out in Oregon.  We planned it during the grandkids' spring break at the end of March.  In booking flights, we are not loyal to any particular airline as we pick the the flight that has the best price and arrival/departure times that work for us.  In the winter months we also try to avoid any layover airports up north for fear of snow delays or cancellations.

American Airlines fit the bill for us this time.  The price was good but more than we had paid in previous years.  We would arrive in Oregon in the early afternoon.  We would depart Oregon a week later near noon.  The layover was in Dallas/Fort Worth, well south of any feared snow.

Our departure from Bradley International Airport on Saturday, March 22 was on time and went smoothly.  We landed in Dallas/Fort Worth and headed to our connection gate with a lunch stop at Smashburger.  Upon arrival at the gate, the gate attendant was making an announcement that the just landed flight had a 'flat tire' and would require a delay of 30 to 45 minutes to fix.  Well, 30 minute increments kept being added to each successive departure time until it added up to our flight taking off 2 hours and 45 minutes after its scheduled time.

As noted in the previous blog, I left Oregon for home on my own on Saturday, March 29.  Again, the departing flight left on time.  I arrived in Dallas/Fort Worth and went directly to my connecting flight's gate.  That plane was 30 minutes late in arriving - making us over 30 minutes late in boarding.  Not a big deal the pilot said, a lot of that time could be made up in flight.

Well, that didn't happen.  One of the overhead luggage bins wouldn't close no matter how hard it was slammed shut.  Maintenance would need to be called for the fix.  30 minutes later, 'maintenance' came, looked it over, and tried slamming it shut a couple of times.  Yup, apparently it was broken, and duct tape was needed to keep it closed.  After sometime had passed, someone on the plane slammed the bin shut, and it stayed shut.  Maintenance never came back and away we went an hour and a half delayed.

Tammy's rescheduled flight home was Saturday, April 5th.  She departed Portland on time with no issues.  While sitting at home awaiting her arrival and watching her flight information, I notice her connecting flight at Dallas/Fort Worth to Bradley got canceled.  When Tammy landed, she learned she had been rebooked on a flight 24 hours later.  She was told she could try to get another flight, but if that flight were to be canceled, she would lose her original rebooked flight.

There was a plane leaving for Albany, NY in an hour.  It had been delayed but not canceled.  Tammy called about being put on standby which would not cancel her original rebooked flight if this flight was canceled.  However, in booking standby, she was actually booked on the flight and told it was boarding.  

Well, that didn't happen, at least not for another 2 and half hours.  Maintenance issues in the cabin kept getting the flight delayed in 30 minute increases.  When it did finally take off, I started getting ready for my hour and a half drive to Albany, NY.  I left home at 1120pm and arrived at the airport at 100am.  Tammy's flight landed at 115am, and we pulled in to our driveway Sunday, April 6 at 340am. 

Though we are not loyal to any particular airline, I will definitely do all I can to avoid flying American Airlines or going through Dallas/Fort Worth in our future travels because American Airlines sucks.

Oregon 2025 Spring

On Saturday, March 22, Tammy and I boarded a plane for Oregon.  The actual trip there and back will serve as its own blog.  Suffice it to say, we made it there.

Sunday, we attended Sunday School and morning church.  Blake announced during service that because there was so much sickness Sunday night service was canceled.  The afternoon and evening was spent hanging out with the grandkids playing with toys and games.  

Monday morning, Blake, Hudson, and I visited several stores.  I was looking for Mexican hot chocolate, flan, and Gansitos.  I was only successful in finding Gansitos.  The weather was nice, so Jaclyn, Juni, Hudson, Tammy, and I went to the park to play.  Lilly had not been feeling well for several days so she stayed home with Blake and a sleeping Sagelyn.  When we left the park, we made a stop at BJ's Ice Cream Parlor.  I got the Oregon Trail flavor which was different and quite good.  The afternoon was spent enjoying the sunshine sitting in the backyard.

Tuesday, everyone headed out early for a visit to another park for an hour or so.  That was followed by a scavenger hunt that Blake had made for the kids at the local antique store.  The morning ended with our customary visit to the Albany Historic Carousel for rides and ice cream.  Tammy and I shared a Dr. Pepper and cherry ice cream float.  Umpqua Cherry Bordeaux ice cream is used in the float, and it was delicious.  On  the way home, Tammy and I stopped at the grocery store to purchase some.  They had none.  However, unbeknownst to us, Blake had placed a pick-up order for the ice cream and had gotten it before we had arrived.  (The ice cream and Blake's sister's homemade cinnamon rolls were our nightly before bed snack.)  It was another nice sunny day so we hung out again in the backyard for the afternoon.

Wednesday, Lilly was still no feeling well.  She had visited the doctor on Monday and had an appointment to see the doctor who at that time placed her on antibiotics.  Tammy and I took Juniper and Hudson to the park to play for a good while, then visited the library, and ended with lunch at Carl Jr's.  When we got home, Lilly had made a scavenger hunt that finished with the prize of yogurt parfaits.  The rest of the day was spent playing with toys, games, and crafting.

Thursday, we just hung out at the house and watched the grandkids for the afternoon and evening to give Jaclyn and Blake some time away.

Friday, Lilly was still not well, so Jaclyn made another doctor's appointment.  The doctor at that time diagnosed her with pneumonia and admitted her to the local Albany hospital.  Tammy began making calls to the airline to change her flight.  After some time at the local hospital, it was determined they needed to send Lilly to the hospital in Portland which they did by ambulance around 1030pm.  Tammy made the change to delay her flight by a week.  I had to leave the next day and did at 7am for my flight home from Portland.

Tammy spent Saturday (park and library visits), Sunday (morning church attendance), and most of Monday (Juni went to school.  Hudson and Sagelyn went to PetCo) with the grandkids as Jaclyn and Blake were with Lilly at the Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland being treated.  Lilly came home Monday afternoon.  Tuesday was a day of rest for all the adults with a quick trip to Costco.   Wednesday saw Tammy, Juni, and Hudson drive to Salem to pick up a prescription for Lilly's thrush.  Thursday was another day of rest.  With nice weather on Friday, the backyard was the place to be after a shopping trip to Target and Dollar Store for Easter gifts.  Blake, Lilly, Juni, and Hudson brought Tammy to the airport Saturday morning.

Here's the link for all the pictures https://photos.app.goo.gl/WMDcFpmB776TXofL7